Last yr, I lastly upgraded from an iPhone 12 Pro to an iPhone 16 Pro, and to say it was a giant step up could be an understatement. From the speedy efficiency and improved digicam system to the Dynamic Island and super-smooth 120Hz show, I’ve discovered so much to like about the very best iPhone cash can purchase in 2025.
Since getting an iPhone 16 Pro, one factor I’ve actually grown keen on is Camera Control. This built-in software lets me rapidly open the Camera app when time is of the essence, and I may even do it as I’m taking my telephone out of my pocket. There’s no want to take a look at the show or fumble with on-screen controls – it’s only a fast, snappy approach to begin capturing.
Yet there’s one new characteristic in my iPhone 16 Pro that I actually haven’t taken to: the Action button. Simply put, I’ve by no means discovered a compelling use case for it.
Part of my indifference in the direction of the Action button comes all the way down to how little time it would save me. Lots of the pre-defined choices that Apple proposes – like activating the flashlight and setting off Shazam – are straightforward sufficient for me to get to in different methods, both by way of the Lock Screen or within the Control Center.
Likewise, I’ve set my Focus modes to start out up robotically, so I by no means really want to take action manually utilizing the Action button. I don’t use Visual Intelligence or Voice Memos sufficient to warrant including them as a substitute. And I’ve discovered nothing in Apple’s instructed checklist of controls, shortcuts, or accessibility options that I’ve needed so as to add to the button.
In the top, I’ve spent most of my time with the Action button arrange as a mute toggle, which is strictly what the characteristic changed on my previous iPhone 12 Pro.
Shortcuts to success
Part of the issue is that the factor I’d actually love to make use of the Action button for is extremely fiddly (or downright not possible) proper now.
For me, it might be nice to make use of the side-mounted toggle for contextual shortcuts – the place, at a sure time of day or a specified location, the Action button does one factor, and at one other time or location, it does one thing else. I haven’t discovered a method to do this but.
And whereas there are methods to have a number of shortcuts run whenever you press the button, setting them up is an concerned, advanced course of. I’d prefer to see a local possibility to take action from Apple, however that doesn’t appear to be forthcoming, except the corporate has one thing up its sleeve for the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) this June.
Sure, perhaps this can be a “me” drawback – in spite of everything, my colleagues John-Anthony and Axel have discovered some glorious makes use of for the Action button involving synthetic intelligence and language translation. But neither of their setups actually appeals to me and my way of life. Right now, I’m nonetheless on the lookout for one thing to alter my thoughts.
Still looking
Perhaps the one factor which may persuade me of the Action button’s utility is Shazam – like Camera Control, it’s one thing that’s designed for use rapidly. But even so, including it to the Action button is simply more likely to save me a second or two in comparison with opening Shazam from the Control Center. Yes, figuring out a track could be time-sensitive, however not fairly as a lot as snapping a photograph earlier than the second’s gone.
At the top of the day, I’m tremendous with the Action button and my minimal use of it. After all, it doesn’t get in the way in which or decelerate my day-to-day life. Most of the time, I merely neglect it’s there.
But it might be nice to discover a actually convincing motive to make use of it that may revolutionize how I take advantage of my iPhone 16 Pro. If anybody can counsel one to me, I’m all ears.
